The Vasil princess proved to be a thorn in Ursa’s side. She was already on edge from the events of the past couple weeks, not to mention being edged out of court by her husband and his stupid advisor-- really, Ivan was far too forgiving. Ursa wasn’t. She didn’t forgive Orlov, and she didn’t forgive the little Vasil princess for all of her slights toward Ursa and the Romanovs. She had simply had enough from everyone else, and she was not about to continue to take it from some ignorant little girl who had not been back in her home country in years. And yet, Princess Aisha thought she was being furtive, hiding around pillars and corners of the hallway, or camping out on the large tree right outside of Ursa’s chambers. At dinner time, the princess would sneak glances at Ur

War usually started out slow, waiting for the cards and the die rolls to allow the ‘generals’ to shape their board into a more maneuverable pattern.  However, Ursa’s moves were quick and fierce, her movements speedy, barely allowing Orlov and Aisha to register what she moved and what she didn’t. Her rolls were quick, and even the way she picked up the cards were like lightning. The only thing that slowed her down was when she took extra seconds to show the cards to Ivan and quietly ask for his input. They would shortly discuss their next move before she put it into place. Orlov was no slowpoke either-- after all, he had managed to beat a three time champion (his father) at least once or twice. But like his father before him, Orlov was a methodical player, instead choosing cautious moves and slower pieces to slowly terrorize his opponent.

Aisha was not at breakfast, though Ursa was not surprised. After all, she had just humiliated the girl in front of her brother that she looked up to, and a most respected official and pseudo family member, not to mention the very barbarians she swore to despise.  If Ursa was in her place, she would also not attend breakfast.  Ursa was surprised, however, when she noticed she continued to have an extra shadow. This time, though, Ursa would not tolerate it.  “Just come out. Stop hiding around corners.” Ursa shut her book with an exaggerated force. Aisha slowly crept from the corner of the library towards the little nook where Ursa sat. They were alone, as Cecily and Emery were off taking care of some errands on Urs

Ursa dropped a bag of coins into the maid’s hand, and the small girl scurried out of the library. After more than half a year at the palace, Ursa learned who could be bought and who could be swayed to join her cause-- her cause being keeping her in the loop of things she otherwise wouldn’t be.  That just happened to be any and all court matters, seeing as Ivan specifically kept her out of political matters.  “You’re still recovering, Ursa! I can’t have you getting all stressed about these matters when your health is so fragile!” But her health has been ‘fragile’ for a little more than a month and a half. Physically, Ursa was already back in her original form, and more than capable of delving back into court. But the most work Ivan had even let her see had only been the preparations for the upcoming annual Royal Hunting Trip, renamed to the Imperial

Ursa returned to her chambers after a quiet dinner with just Ivan and Aisha. It was a nice and gentle dinner, where the only mention of Orlov was Aisha excitedly announcing she would be helping. Otherwise, the dinner was the perfect glimpse of a life without Orlov constantly breathing down Ivan’s shoulder, and Ursa enjoyed it.  But even Ursa could admit, a piece of Ivan was with Orlov in his home, eating dinner alone. Ivan would smile and joke with them, but his gaze was far off, not even in the room. It burned Ursa. It burned Ursa even more to know that a part of her also felt deeply while staring at the empty chair next to Aisha. Once upon a time, Ursa thought that she and the prime minister were friends. Friendly rivals, intellectual equals, and respected colleagues.  She missed the mirage.